Canine Care Guides

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) is a type of illness known as an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases result when the body’s immune system does not recognize itself; cells that normally attack invading viruses and bacteria begin attacking the body’s own cells, causing damage. In dogs and cats with IMT, the body’s platelets are attacked and destroyed, resulting in reduced numbers of platelets in the blood vessels. Platelets (also called thrombocytes) are cells that are needed to form blood clots and repair damaged blood vessels. Thrombocytopenia occurs when there are too few platelets in the blood.

Certain medications, such as insulin, can only be administered by injection. Some injections can be given at home after owners have received necessary instructions. However, in some cases, an injectable medication must be given by a veterinarian or trained veterinary professional.

Canine osteoarthritis is an incurable disease that worsens over time. This means that managing the signs of osteoarthritis and trying to slow down how quickly the condition progresses are the only ways to improve the quality of life of dogs with this chronic illness. Managing the signs of osteoarthritis may involve giving medications to control pain and inflammation, promoting weight management, and conducting physical therapy sessions with the patient. Other treatments are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. These products, known as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), can be an important part of the effort to manage osteoarthritis. Adequan is classified as a DMOAD and has been shown to slow or alter the progression of osteoarthritis in dogs.

In dogs and cats, the vertebrae (bones of the spine) are cushioned on either end by disks of soft cartilage. Occasionally, these disks can rupture, or herniate, into the vertebral canal, causing compression of the spinal cord. This condition is known as intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). Spinal cord compression is painful and can affect nerve supply to the legs and other areas of the body.

An arthroscope is a specially designed instrument that allows a veterinarian to look inside joints using a tiny, sterile, illuminated fiber optic camera. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to examine joint structures for signs of degeneration and trauma without having to perform open surgery on a joint. It can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, if a veterinarian is examining your pet’s joint for signs of degeneration, he or she can remove painful cartilage fragments or bone chips as part of the procedure.